Sermon Transcript
Reader's Version
Judges - What’s Right In God’s EyesSermon by Gene SimcoReader’s Version
Last week, I decided that I was going to wear a white shirt. There's no problem with wearing a white shirt—except maybe when you're planning to eat at an Italian restaurant. When I met my wife for lunch, she was a little surprised by my choice. Considering where we were, she gave me a look that said, Are you sure about that? My response was simple: I had chosen fashion over fear.
Now, speaking of fear, it makes me think of Legos. Yes, Legos—the beloved childhood toy. These have been popular for generations, but as an adult, you start to perceive them a little differently, especially when you step on one. Unsuspecting parents have learned to rightly fear Legos. But it also makes me think about the way we used to build with them. Some kids carefully followed the instructions on the box, making sure everything looked exactly like the picture. But my approach was a little different. I would start off with good intentions, trying to make it look like the box, but eventually, I’d end up going my own way. I’d start creating my own design, leaving pieces unused, or throwing them all into a giant bucket to make something completely different.
For creativity’s sake, maybe this was a good thing. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that not following the instructions isn’t always a great habit. Sometimes, the instructions exist for a reason.
Recently, I got a piece of furniture that required assembly. It seems that while you can save a lot of money by buying furniture you put together yourself, you might also be buying yourself a lot of aggravation in the process. This wasn’t the first time I had bought something like this, so I’ve learned a valuable lesson: if you treat these pieces of furniture like Legos—trying to make them into something different from the picture on the box—it can lead to some disastrous consequences. A shelf might collapse, a table might fall apart, and in some cases, you could lose thousands of dollars in damages. Worse yet, if it's a piece of furniture that holds weight, it could collapse and seriously injure someone.
So, whenever I put together one of these assembly-required projects, I always get a little nervous when I see extra parts left over. It makes me stop and re-examine everything because I know something isn’t right. Over time, I’ve become pretty good at reading the instructions carefully, making sure I follow them exactly.
In this chapter, we’re going to see how half-following God’s instructions—or doing what seems right in our own eyes—leads to destruction. When we pick and choose which parts of God's commands to obey and try to fill in the rest with our own wisdom, things inevitably fall apart.
We now find ourselves in the book of Judges. In our last section, we looked at Joshua’s farewell and saw that Israel had failed to completely conquer the land or drive out the Canaanites. Their failure was largely due to disobedience, and now Judges picks up after Joshua’s death, showing us what happens when Israel forgets God. They reject His leadership, turn to idols, and experience chaos and oppression. Yet, even in their rebellion, God remains faithful, raising up flawed human judges to rescue His people. However, these judges were not kings or rulers in the sense of a monarchy; they were more like deputies of God in what was supposed to be a theocracy. In many ways, they are a compromise, a temporary solution to Israel’s repeated failure to follow God fully. Judges points us to our ultimate Deliverer, Jesus, who rescues us from sin and gives us true rest.
We are breaking the book into three broad chapter movements. The first three chapters show Israel’s failure to fully conquer the land, an encounter with the Angel of the Lord, and the first set of judges. The second section, covering chapters four through sixteen, presents a group of deeply flawed heroes. Finally, the last section, chapters seventeen through twenty-one, depicts complete chaos and corruption, showing what happens when people do what is right in their own eyes.
In our first section, chapter one reveals that Israel did not fully drive out the Canaanites, leaving their corrupting influences intact. Instead of standing apart, they allowed these pagan cultures to remain, which led to Israel adopting their ways rather than leading in righteousness. This sets the stage for a downward spiral. In chapter two, Israel encounters the Angel of the Lord, who rebukes them, saying, You made covenants you were not supposed to make, and now those people will be a snare to you. This ties back to the treaty made with the Gibeonites in Joshua, an agreement that, though made under deception, Israel still had to uphold. The people repeatedly turn away from God, beginning the infamous cycle of sin and deliverance. We also see the first use of a significant phrase: They did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. This refrain will be repeated throughout the book, marking Israel’s continual rebellion.
Chapter three introduces us to the first set of judges—Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar. This initial group of judges are, in some ways, more noble than the ones who follow. Othniel, Caleb’s nephew, is named as having the Spirit of God, reminiscent of past figures empowered by the Spirit, such as Bezalel, who was filled with the Spirit to build the Tabernacle, and the seventy elders in Numbers 11, including Eldad and Medad. This marks a continuation of God raising up Spirit-filled leaders to guide His people.
Then we have Ehud, who assassinates King Eglon of Moab in one of the most unusual accounts in Scripture. Ehud is a left-handed warrior, a rare trait that plays a crucial role in his plan. He secures a private audience with Eglon, a notoriously obese king, under the pretense of delivering a secret message from God. When Eglon leans in to hear the message, Ehud unsheathes a hidden sword with his left hand and thrusts it into the king’s belly. The blade goes in so deep that the fat closes over it, and Ehud is able to escape through the latrine while Eglon’s servants assume he is relieving himself. Because of Ehud’s actions, Israel experiences eighty years of peace.
Finally, we have Shamgar, a judge who is briefly mentioned but notable for his incredible feat—defeating six hundred Philistines with an ox goad, a farming tool not typically used for battle. This act highlights how God can use even the most unconventional weapons and people to bring about His purposes.
In our second movement, we see a list of deeply flawed heroes, beginning with Deborah, who is one of the least flawed among them. However, as the book progresses, the judges seem to become progressively worse. Deborah and Barak lead Israel to victory over King Jabin of Hazor and his general Sisera. When Barak hesitates to go into battle without Deborah, she warns him that the victory will ultimately be given to a woman. And indeed, that is exactly what happens.
During the battle, Sisera sees that his forces are being routed, and he flees to the tent of a woman named Jael, who was related to Hobab, Moses' Midianite guide. Seeking refuge, he trusts Jael to keep him safe. She welcomes him, offers him milk to drink, and assures him that he can rest in her tent. However, while he sleeps, Jael takes a tent peg and violently drives it through his temple, killing him instantly. This unexpected turn of events highlights how God can use unlikely individuals to bring about His purposes. The prophecy given to Barak is fulfilled—Sisera falls not by the sword of a warrior but by the hand of a woman. This remarkable victory is celebrated in chapter five in The Song of Deborah, which praises God for delivering Israel in such an unusual and decisive manner.
Chapters six through eight introduce us to Gideon, one of the most well-known judges. Gideon is reluctant at first but ultimately proves to be faithful. His story begins with an act of defiance—tearing down an altar to Baal in his town. Because of this, he earns the name Jerubbaal, meaning Let Baal defend himself. However, despite this bold action, Gideon struggles with doubt and repeatedly seeks confirmation from God. This is where we get the well-known story of Gideon's fleece. Twice, he asks God to confirm His calling through a miraculous sign—first by making the fleece wet while the ground around it remains dry, and then by reversing the sign the next day.
Gideon’s army is chosen in an unusual way. He starts with 32,000 men, but God instructs him to reduce their numbers. The first cut removes those who are afraid, leaving 10,000. Then, God tells Gideon to bring them to a water source and observe how they drink. Those who cup water with their hands rather than kneeling down to drink directly are chosen, leaving only 300 men. This absurdly small force is then given an even more unconventional battle plan. They are instructed to surround the Midianite camp, each carrying a torch hidden inside a clay pot. At Gideon’s signal, they break the pots, revealing the torches, and blow their trumpets, creating the illusion of a vast army. The Midianites, thrown into confusion, turn on each other in panic, and Israel wins the battle without even drawing their swords.
However, Gideon’s story does not end well. After his victory, he makes an ephod from the spoils of war, which the people begin to worship, creating yet another spiritual downfall. His life is a picture of early faithfulness followed by compromise—highlighting the fact that even those chosen by God can lead people astray when they lose sight of Him.
In chapter nine, we meet Abimelech, Gideon’s son, who is not a judge in the traditional sense but rather a self-appointed leader. His ambition leads to destruction. He begins his rule by slaughtering seventy of his half-brothers to eliminate competition. Only one brother, Jotham, survives, and he delivers a prophetic parable from Mount Gerizim—the mountain associated with blessings—turning it into a place of cursing. The parable warns that Abimelech’s reign will bring destruction, and indeed, that is what happens.
Abimelech crushes opposition by brutally destroying the city of Shechem. To symbolize their total defeat, he salts the ground, a practice that signifies permanent desolation—reminiscent of the warning about Lot’s wife and the judgment of Sodom. Later, he attacks another city, Thebez, but as he tries to burn down its tower, a woman drops a millstone on his head. Knowing he is mortally wounded, he calls for his armor-bearer to finish him off so that he would not be remembered as having been killed by a woman. In the end, his death is ironic—just as he tried to establish his rule through violence and pride, he is brought down by his own arrogance.
After Abimelech’s story, we briefly see judges Tola and Jair, though not much detail is given about them.
Then, in chapters eleven and twelve, we meet Jephthah, another deeply flawed judge. Jephthah first attempts diplomacy, writing a letter to the Ammonite king recounting Israel’s history and their right to the land. However, war is inevitable, and before battle, he makes a tragic and foolish vow. He promises that if God grants him victory, he will offer as a sacrifice whatever first comes out of his house to greet him upon his return. To his horror, when he arrives home, it is his only daughter who comes out to meet him. The text states plainly that he fulfills his vow (Judges 11:39), leading many scholars to believe that she was indeed sacrificed.
This devastating story serves as a cautionary tale—being filled with the Spirit does not mean one is immune to making disastrous choices. Judges repeatedly reminds us that the Spirit of God is not an endorsement of every action a person takes. Jephthah was empowered by God to deliver Israel, yet he still acted according to his own understanding, leading to tragedy.
Another recurring issue in Judges is the tension with the tribe of Ephraim. When Jephthah defeats the Ammonites, the Ephraimites confront him, upset that they were not included in the battle. Unlike Gideon, who had previously diffused their anger with diplomacy, Jephthah responds aggressively, leading to a civil war in which forty-two thousand Ephraimites are killed. Once again, we see that when people act based on their own judgment rather than seeking God’s wisdom, the result is destruction.
Judges 13 through 16 highlight the famous story of Samson, a man of immense strength but deep personal flaws. His life is a paradox—set apart from birth as a deliverer for Israel, yet often driven by personal desires rather than divine purpose. Samson’s story begins with an angel of the Lord appearing to his mother, declaring that she would give birth to a son who would begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines. The angel instructs her that the boy is to be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth, meaning he must never cut his hair, drink wine, or touch anything unclean. Notably, his mother is also told to avoid alcohol, reinforcing the significance of the vow even before his birth.
As Samson grows, his physical strength becomes legendary, but so do his reckless choices. His first major act in Judges 14 involves marrying a Philistine woman—a direct violation of Israel’s separation from the surrounding nations. During the wedding feast, Samson presents a riddle to the Philistines, based on his own private experience of finding honey inside the carcass of a lion. The riddle is: "Out of the eater came something to eat; out of the strong came something sweet." When his bride is pressured by the Philistines, she nags Samson until he reveals the answer, which she promptly betrays. Furious at their deception, Samson responds with violence—killing thirty Philistine men and taking their belongings to pay the wager he had lost. Enraged, he leaves his wife behind, returning home to his parents.
Unbeknownst to Samson, his wife is given in marriage to another man. Later, when he returns to see her, her father refuses to let him in, explaining that she is now married to someone else. In a fit of vengeance, Samson catches three hundred foxes, ties their tails together in pairs with torches, and releases them into the Philistines' fields, burning their grain, vineyards, and olive groves. This act of destruction provokes retaliation, and in response, the Philistines kill Samson’s former wife and her family. Samson, in turn, strikes them down and flees to a cave in the region of Etam.
The Philistines then pressure the men of Judah, demanding that they hand Samson over. In fear, three thousand men of Judah approach Samson and bind him with ropes to deliver him to the Philistines. However, as soon as he is handed over, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him. He snaps the ropes as if they were flax threads and grabs the jawbone of a freshly killed donkey, using it as a weapon to slay a thousand Philistines. This moment cements Samson’s reputation as an unstoppable force, but his story continues to be marked by impulsive decisions.
In another episode, Samson visits a Philistine city and evades capture by carrying away the massive city gates of Gaza—an incredible feat of strength meant to humiliate his enemies. But his downfall begins with his relationship with Delilah, a woman whom the Philistine rulers bribe with 1,100 pieces of silver to uncover the secret of his strength. Delilah persistently tries to coax the truth out of him, and after deceiving her multiple times, Samson finally reveals that his strength lies in his hair. While he sleeps, she has his seven braids cut off, and as his hair is shaved, his strength departs. The Philistines seize him, gouge out his eyes, and imprison him in Gaza, forcing him to grind grain like an ox.
Humiliated and enslaved, Samson becomes a spectacle for his captors. However, in prison, his hair begins to grow back—a subtle foreshadowing of his final act. The Philistines later bring him out for entertainment during a grand festival in their temple to Dagon, their god. While there, Samson prays to God for strength one last time: "Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow, let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my eyes."
Positioning himself between the two central pillars of the temple, Samson pushes against them with all his might, crying out, "Let me die with the Philistines!" The temple collapses, killing thousands, including all the Philistine rulers. In his death, Samson destroys more enemies than he did throughout his lifetime, fulfilling his role as a deliverer of Israel. However, his story is one of wasted potential—a man called by God, yet led astray by his own desires. His life serves as both a warning and a testament to God’s ability to use even the most flawed individuals for His purposes.
In our next section, Israel spirals further into chaos and corruption in Judges 17 through 18. The tale of Micah’s idols and the migration of the tribe of Dan highlight the moral and spiritual decay that overtakes the nation. The story begins with a man named Micah stealing from his mother—1,100 pieces of silver, an amount that echoes Delilah’s betrayal of Samson in the previous chapter. When Micah confesses, his mother dedicates the silver to the Lord but paradoxically uses it to create a carved idol. Micah then sets up a shrine, makes a sacred ephod, and appoints one of his sons as his personal priest, showing just how far Israel has strayed from true worship. Again, we see the recurring refrain: “In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
Micah later convinces a wandering Levite to serve as his priest, seeing this as a way to legitimize his private idolatrous worship. Meanwhile, the tribe of Dan, still unsettled in their allotted territory, seeks a new homeland. They send out five scouts to explore potential regions for conquest. These men arrive at Micah’s house and recognize the Levite’s accent, realizing he is not from their region. Seeking divine guidance, they ask him to pray for them, and the Levite assures them that their journey will be successful.
Encouraged by this, the Danites continue to the town of Laish, finding it to be prosperous, peaceful, and unprotected. Deciding it is the perfect target, 600 armed Danites set out to conquer it. On their way, they stop at Micah’s house and, rather than merely seeking his blessing, they take his idols and ephod, essentially looting his private shrine. They also persuade the Levite to leave Micah’s service and join them, promising him a more prestigious role as a priest to an entire tribe rather than just one household. The Danites then proceed to Laish, slaughter its inhabitants, burn the city, and rebuild it under the name Dan.
A particularly significant detail appears in Judges 18:30, where the Danites appoint Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, as their priest. This is a deeply ironic and shameful moment—Moses, the great leader who delivered God’s law, has a direct descendant leading idolatrous worship for a rebellious tribe. So embarrassing was this association that later Jewish scribes, in certain Masoretic manuscripts, altered the text to obscure Moses’ name, replacing it with “Manasseh.” However, the Greek Septuagint preserves the original reading, reinforcing its superiority in preserving the unaltered history of Israel. This textual change was likely an attempt to shield Moses’ legacy from disgrace, but in doing so, it only further illustrates the Masoretic Text tendency to redact difficult portions of scripture.
The story of Micah’s idols and the Danite migration reveals the deep spiritual decline of Israel. Instead of worshiping according to God’s commands, they invent their own religious practices, blending elements of true worship with idolatry. The nation drifts further from its covenant relationship with God, setting the stage for the even darker events that follow in the final chapters of Judges.
The final section of Judges presents one of the darkest episodes in Israel’s history—the story of the Levite and the concubine. This account reveals just how deeply the nation had fallen into moral decay. The concubine had left the Levite and returned to her father’s house, and after some time, the Levite travels to reclaim her. They stay for several days at her father’s house, repeatedly delayed by the father-in-law’s insistence that they remain. Eventually, they leave and, on their journey, find themselves in a town of the tribe of Benjamin, the city of Gibeah.
What happens next is disturbingly reminiscent of the events in Sodom and Gomorrah. An old man in the town urges them not to stay in the open square, knowing the wickedness of the place. They take lodging with him, but that night, the men of the city come to the house and demand that the Levite be handed over to them to be abused. In a horrific turn of events, the Levite pushes his concubine outside instead, where she is brutally assaulted throughout the night. By morning, she lies collapsed at the doorstep, barely alive. The Levite finds her there and coldly tells her to get up so they can leave, but she does not respond—she is already dead.
What follows is one of the most gruesome moments in all of Scripture. The Levite places her body on his donkey, returns home, and then, in a shocking act, takes a knife and dismembers her body into twelve pieces, sending them to the twelve tribes of Israel as a call to arms. The people are horrified, saying, “Such a horrible crime has not been committed since Israel left Egypt.” The atrocity ignites national outrage, leading the other tribes to wage war against Benjamin.
A brutal civil war ensues. The Israelite tribes initially suffer losses, but they eventually decimate the tribe of Benjamin, leaving only 600 men alive. This nearly wipes out an entire tribe from existence. In a bizarre and disturbing effort to preserve the tribe, the Israelites seek out a way to provide wives for these remaining Benjamites without breaking their earlier oath not to give their own daughters to them in marriage. Their solution is ruthless. They slaughter the people of Jabesh-Gilead for failing to join them in battle and take 400 virgins for the Benjamites, but that number still falls short. To make up for the remaining shortage, they devise a scheme—during the annual festival of the Lord at Shiloh, they allow the Benjamites to hide in the vineyards and capture young women as they come out to dance. In this way, they secure wives for the tribe through what amounts to an act of sanctioned abduction.
This brutal, chaotic conclusion to Judges serves as a grim testament to what happens when a nation rejects God’s leadership. The book ends with the repeated refrain: “In those days, Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” This statement is not just a commentary on the state of Israel at the time—it is an indictment of the human condition when left without divine authority.
The story of Judges makes one thing abundantly clear: when people abandon God’s law and follow their own desires, moral and societal collapse is inevitable. The lawlessness and violence that define the period demonstrate the desperate need for a righteous king who would lead with justice and restore order. This sets the stage for the rise of the monarchy in Israel, but more importantly, it foreshadows the ultimate King—Jesus Christ, the only one who can truly lead humanity out of sin and into righteousness.
The book of Judges serves as a bridge between Joshua and Ruth, emphasizing the desperate need for a righteous king. Judges 21:25 states, “In those days, Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” This refrain echoes throughout the book, highlighting the moral and spiritual decline that resulted from Israel’s rejection of God’s leadership. Without a king, chaos reigned, and Israel fell into repeated cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and temporary deliverance through flawed judges.
But the story does not end there. As we turn to the book of Ruth, we find a glimpse of hope emerging from this dark period. At the end of Ruth, the genealogy is recorded in Ruth 4:13-17: “So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. Then the women of the town said to Naomi, ‘Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age, for he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!’ Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast, and she cared for him as if he were her own. The neighbor women said, ‘Now at last Naomi has a son again!’ And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of King David.”
From the depravity of Judges emerges the story of Ruth, which introduces David’s lineage. And from David’s lineage comes the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan—Jesus Christ. Matthew 1:1 begins, “This is the record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham.” Luke 1:32-33 further proclaims, “He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
The transition from Judges to Ruth is not just historical—it is theological. Joshua, a prefigure of Christ, led Israel into the Promised Land but could not establish their lasting peace. The judges provided temporary relief but could not bring permanent righteousness. Ruth’s story, however, ushers in the line of David, pointing forward to the one true King who would establish an everlasting kingdom. Judges exposes human failure, revealing what happens when people reject divine leadership, while Ruth sets the stage for redemption.
Where human judges failed, Jesus brings true justice. Where Israel wandered in disobedience, Jesus leads with perfect guidance. Where chaos ruled, Jesus reigns with righteousness. The book of Judges leaves us longing for a true King, and that longing is fulfilled in Christ. He is not just a better judge—He is the eternal King who rules with justice and grace, securing salvation for all who follow Him.
In Orthodox tradition, the Feast of the Annunciation is one of the earliest Christian feasts, commemorating the Archangel Gabriel's announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and bear Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This feast is celebrated on March 25th. Historical records indicate that the Feast of the Annunciation was already being celebrated in the fourth century. The Council of Toledo in 656 mentions the feast, and the Council in Trullo in 692 notes its observance during Great Lent.
Orthodox tradition interprets Gideon's fleece test as a prefiguration of the Virgin Birth. In Judges 6:36-40, Gideon seeks confirmation from God through a fleece: first, he asks for the fleece to be wet with dew while the ground remains dry; then, for the fleece to stay dry while the ground is covered with dew. This dual sign is seen as symbolic within Orthodox theology. The first sign, where the fleece is saturated while the ground is dry, represents the Virgin Mary receiving the divine overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, conceiving Christ while remaining pure. The second sign, with the ground wet and the fleece dry, symbolizes the outpouring of God's grace upon the world through the Incarnation, with Mary as the untouched medium. This typology is celebrated during the Feast of the Annunciation, highlighting the fulfillment of Old Testament signs in the person of Jesus Christ.
This interpretation underscores the continuity between Old Testament events and their ultimate realization in the New Testament, emphasizing the depth of God's salvific plan as recognized in Orthodox theology.
The Book of Judges offers a powerful contrast between human frailty and divine strength, ultimately pointing us toward Jesus as the true and perfect Deliverer. Samson’s life is one of paradox—great strength marred by personal weakness, yet culminating in a moment of surrender that brings victory. When he prays, "Let me die with the Philistines," and the temple collapses, his greatest act of deliverance comes not through his physical might, but through sacrifice. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul echoes this idea, writing, "Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me." Samson’s death foreshadows Jesus, whose apparent weakness on the cross triumphed over sin and death. His final act is a reminder that true strength is not found in human power but in surrender to God’s will. Samson's life, though flawed, ultimately reflects the power of grace, where victory is won not by force, but by complete reliance on God.
In Deborah and Barak, we see another example of victory through faith. Judges 4:14 records Deborah’s command to Barak: "Get ready! This is the day the Lord will give you victory over Sisera, for the Lord is marching ahead of you." This mirrors the theme in Hebrews 11:32-34, which recounts the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, and others, stating, "By their faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them… Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight." Yet, as Hebrews continues, it becomes clear that none of these individuals fully achieved the promised rest. They were part of a greater story, one that finds its fulfillment in Christ, who secures the final victory over sin and death. Their faith and obedience to God’s guidance serve as a model, but their victories were incomplete, pointing to the ultimate deliverance that only Jesus provides.
The Angel of the Lord appears throughout Judges as a reminder that God is present even in times of rebellion. In Judges 6:12, the Angel of the Lord greets Gideon with the words, "Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!" This is significant because Gideon, at the time, is hiding in fear, uncertain of his calling. The phrase "The Lord is with you" is a reassurance found throughout Scripture, culminating in Jesus' incarnation, where John 1:14 declares, "So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness, and we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son." The Angel of the Lord appearing to Gideon is widely understood as a Christophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. Just as the Angel of the Lord reassures Gideon of God’s presence, Jesus Himself promises to be with His people always, guiding them through times of disobedience and struggle.
These stories within Judges illustrate the larger truth that human strength, left to its own devices, is insufficient. The judges were chosen by God, but they were flawed, and their victories were temporary. Samson's final act, Barak’s reliance on Deborah, and Gideon’s encounter with the Angel of the Lord all highlight the need for a greater Deliverer. Where human judges fail, Jesus reigns. He is the true and final Judge, the one who delivers perfectly and eternally. The Book of Judges, with all its accounts of human failure and divine intervention, serves as a bridge to the coming King, who alone can bring lasting peace and salvation.
Judges is a story of rebellion, chaos, and flawed leadership, but it’s also a testament to God’s faithfulness. Every judge in the book serves as a reminder of Israel’s desperate need for a perfect deliverer, a need ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. Unlike the temporary and imperfect salvation provided by these leaders, Christ offers eternal victory over sin and death. A key theme repeated throughout Judges is the phrase, "Everyone did what was right in their own eyes." This statement appears multiple times:
Judges 17:6 – "In those days, Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes."Judges 18:1 – "Now in those days, Israel had no king."Judges 19:1 – "Now in those days, Israel had no king. There was a man from the tribe of Levi who was living in a remote area of the hill country of Ephraim."Judges 21:25 – "In those days, Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes."
These passages highlight the anarchy, moral corruption, and spiritual decline that occurred when Israel rejected God's leadership and followed their own wisdom instead. The tragic consequences of this mindset are woven throughout the book, and the same dangers apply to us today.
Judges gives us a raw look at what happens when people abandon God's wisdom and rely on their own opinions. Over and over again, we see the phrase "Everyone did what was right in their own eyes," yet what seems right to us apart from God often leads to disaster. The judges themselves illustrate this struggle—sometimes obeying God and finding success, but at other times acting on their own judgment and causing harm.
In Gideon’s story, we see fear and idolatry. Gideon starts his journey listening to God, humbly following His instructions, but later, he builds an ephod that leads Israel into idolatry. His fear-driven faith turns into compromise. How often do we start strong in faith but allow distractions, doubts, or compromises to lead us astray? Perhaps there was a time when we were on fire for God, fully trusting in His plan, yet over time, we returned to the very habits or doubts that once plagued us. Gideon reminds us that faith requires perseverance and consistency, not just an initial burst of obedience.
Jephthah’s story warns against reckless vows. He swore to sacrifice the first thing that came out of his house if God granted him victory, tragically leading to the death of his own daughter. His mistake was assuming he could bargain with God rather than seeking His wisdom beforehand. Do we make rash commitments based on what seems right to us, rather than patiently waiting on God's answer? How often do we jump to conclusions, make impulsive promises, or act without truly consulting God? Jephthah’s tragedy reminds us that wisdom requires patience, and true faith seeks understanding rather than impulsive decisions.
Samson embodies the dangers of impulsiveness. He lived for his own desires, chasing after Philistine women despite knowing it was against God's commands. He did what was right in his own eyes and, ironically, lost his physical sight as a consequence. His story serves as a powerful warning—do we allow our own desires to control us rather than submitting to God's will? Are we driven by emotions, lust, or personal ambition rather than by faith? Samson had immense potential, but his self-indulgence led to his downfall. Likewise, unchecked desires can lead us away from God’s calling if we are not careful.
However, Judges also provides moments of hope, where individuals listened to God's Word and obeyed. Deborah and Barak illustrate the power of obedience. Deborah, acting as God's prophetess, instructed Barak to lead Israel’s army into battle. Though hesitant at first, Barak listened, and God granted victory. Are we willing to act in faith when God calls us to? Do we recognize that He often speaks through unexpected sources? In this case, Barak followed the wisdom of a woman—a culturally uncommon practice in his time. This challenges us to examine our own biases. Are we willing to listen when God speaks, even if it comes from an unexpected person? If Balaam could hear God's message through a donkey, then surely God can use anyone to bring wisdom into our lives. The question is—are we willing to listen?
Judges reveals that when people reject God's leadership, chaos reigns. The repeated refrain "In those days, Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes" highlights the danger of subjective morality and self-rule. It’s a warning that applies just as much today as it did then. Are we living according to our own wisdom, or are we seeking God's direction? Do we justify actions because they feel right rather than aligning them with Scripture? Are we guilty of picking and choosing which of God's instructions to follow, treating His commands like optional guidelines rather than divine truth?
The chaos in Judges is a reflection of what happens when we push God out of our lives. Yet even in the midst of rebellion, God remains faithful, raising up deliverers, however flawed they may be. Ultimately, the book of Judges points to our need for Jesus—the perfect Deliverer who doesn’t just provide temporary rescue but eternal salvation. It challenges us to trust in Him rather than our own understanding. When we do, we find true peace, purpose, and victory, not by doing what seems right in our own eyes, but by walking in obedience to the One who truly knows what is best.
The Book of Judges gives us many examples of both faithfulness and failure. One of the clearest contrasts is between those who trusted in God and were used by Him, and those who relied on their own wisdom, leading to disaster. Each judge gives us a lesson, revealing a pattern that still applies to us today.
We see a good example of deliverance in Othniel. As the first judge, he was empowered by God's Spirit and brought rescue to Israel. His leadership shows that true victory comes not through human effort, but through reliance on God's power. Are we depending on the Holy Spirit’s strength, or are we trying to handle everything in our own strength? Again, this ties back to what Paul wrote: "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." Are we willing to let God work through us by submitting to Him, or are we seeking to control everything ourselves and receive the glory?
Ehud provides an example of boldness. He followed God’s guidance, using his left-handed ability—what many considered a weakness—to bring deliverance to Israel by defeating King Eglon. This detail about his left-handedness is significant because, in ancient times, being left-handed was often viewed as a disadvantage. Even today, left-handed people face challenges, as my father did when his parents tried to retrain him to use his right hand. As a musician, I know firsthand that most guitars are designed for right-handed players, making it harder for left-handed people to find instruments that suit them. Yet, what is often perceived as a weakness is precisely what God used for victory. Do we have areas in our lives that we see as weaknesses? Are we willing to trust that God can use them for His purposes? Sometimes the very things we struggle with are the tools God will use to accomplish His plan.
The central question in Judges—and in our own lives—is whether we base our morality on what feels right or on God's Word. The culture constantly tells us to follow our hearts, but Scripture warns against this thinking. "There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death." (Proverbs 14:12). The prophet Jeremiah also reminds us, "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" (Jeremiah 17:9). Despite the world encouraging self-guidance, the Bible warns that apart from God’s wisdom, our decisions often lead to destruction. This isn’t a new problem. As Ecclesiastes tells us, "There is nothing new under the sun." Paul, writing to the Romans, describes a society from thousands of years ago that sounds exactly like our own. Humanity has always been prone to redefining truth, yet God’s wisdom does not change.
On a personal level, are we making decisions based on what feels right in the moment, or are we waiting on the Lord? Are we acting out of impatience, fear, or impulse? Many of the judges made disastrous mistakes because they did not fully trust God. Jephthah made a rash vow, assuming he could bargain with God, and it led to the tragic loss of his daughter. Samson followed his own desires rather than God's plan, and it cost him his strength, his freedom, and eventually his life. Do we rush into major decisions—about jobs, relationships, or commitments—before seeking the Lord’s direction? How often do we convince ourselves that because something seems right in our own eyes, it must be right? True wisdom comes from waiting on the Lord, seeking His guidance, and being patient for His timing.
Obedience, even when it doesn’t make sense by worldly standards, brings victory. Deborah and Barak learned this firsthand. Barak was hesitant, but when he followed Deborah’s prophetic direction, God gave them success. We may not always understand why God is calling us to certain actions, but faith is demonstrated through obedience. Philippians 2 reminds us that Christ Himself is our ultimate example of obedience: "Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross."
Faith without obedience is not true faith. We can claim to believe in God, but if we constantly do what seems right in our own eyes rather than submitting to His will, we are no different from the people of Judges. It is easy to condemn Israel for their repeated failures, yet are we guilty of the same thing? Do we listen to God only when it aligns with what we already want, or are we willing to obey Him even when it requires sacrifice?
Despite the failures in Judges, God remained faithful. Though Israel repeatedly turned from Him, He continually raised up deliverers to rescue them. However, every one of these deliverers was flawed. They could only provide temporary relief, pointing to the need for a greater Deliverer—Jesus Christ. Where the judges failed, Jesus succeeded. Unlike them, He did not do what was right in His own eyes, but instead followed the will of the Father, even to the point of death. He is the true Judge, the ultimate Deliverer, the One who does not bring momentary rescue but eternal salvation.
Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
We must ask ourselves: Are we living according to what seems right in our own eyes, or are we submitting to God's Word? If we trust and obey Him, He will lead us out of the chaos of self-reliance and into the peace of His perfect will.
©️ Copyright 2025 Gene Simco Most Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scriptures in brackets reflect the original Biblical languages.
Last week, I decided that I was going to wear a white shirt. There's no problem with wearing a white shirt—except maybe when you're planning to eat at an Italian restaurant. When I met my wife for lunch, she was a little surprised by my choice. Considering where we were, she gave me a look that said, Are you sure about that? My response was simple: I had chosen fashion over fear.
Now, speaking of fear, it makes me think of Legos. Yes, Legos—the beloved childhood toy. These have been popular for generations, but as an adult, you start to perceive them a little differently, especially when you step on one. Unsuspecting parents have learned to rightly fear Legos. But it also makes me think about the way we used to build with them. Some kids carefully followed the instructions on the box, making sure everything looked exactly like the picture. But my approach was a little different. I would start off with good intentions, trying to make it look like the box, but eventually, I’d end up going my own way. I’d start creating my own design, leaving pieces unused, or throwing them all into a giant bucket to make something completely different.
For creativity’s sake, maybe this was a good thing. But as I’ve grown older, I’ve realized that not following the instructions isn’t always a great habit. Sometimes, the instructions exist for a reason.
Recently, I got a piece of furniture that required assembly. It seems that while you can save a lot of money by buying furniture you put together yourself, you might also be buying yourself a lot of aggravation in the process. This wasn’t the first time I had bought something like this, so I’ve learned a valuable lesson: if you treat these pieces of furniture like Legos—trying to make them into something different from the picture on the box—it can lead to some disastrous consequences. A shelf might collapse, a table might fall apart, and in some cases, you could lose thousands of dollars in damages. Worse yet, if it's a piece of furniture that holds weight, it could collapse and seriously injure someone.
So, whenever I put together one of these assembly-required projects, I always get a little nervous when I see extra parts left over. It makes me stop and re-examine everything because I know something isn’t right. Over time, I’ve become pretty good at reading the instructions carefully, making sure I follow them exactly.
In this chapter, we’re going to see how half-following God’s instructions—or doing what seems right in our own eyes—leads to destruction. When we pick and choose which parts of God's commands to obey and try to fill in the rest with our own wisdom, things inevitably fall apart.
We now find ourselves in the book of Judges. In our last section, we looked at Joshua’s farewell and saw that Israel had failed to completely conquer the land or drive out the Canaanites. Their failure was largely due to disobedience, and now Judges picks up after Joshua’s death, showing us what happens when Israel forgets God. They reject His leadership, turn to idols, and experience chaos and oppression. Yet, even in their rebellion, God remains faithful, raising up flawed human judges to rescue His people. However, these judges were not kings or rulers in the sense of a monarchy; they were more like deputies of God in what was supposed to be a theocracy. In many ways, they are a compromise, a temporary solution to Israel’s repeated failure to follow God fully. Judges points us to our ultimate Deliverer, Jesus, who rescues us from sin and gives us true rest.
We are breaking the book into three broad chapter movements. The first three chapters show Israel’s failure to fully conquer the land, an encounter with the Angel of the Lord, and the first set of judges. The second section, covering chapters four through sixteen, presents a group of deeply flawed heroes. Finally, the last section, chapters seventeen through twenty-one, depicts complete chaos and corruption, showing what happens when people do what is right in their own eyes.
In our first section, chapter one reveals that Israel did not fully drive out the Canaanites, leaving their corrupting influences intact. Instead of standing apart, they allowed these pagan cultures to remain, which led to Israel adopting their ways rather than leading in righteousness. This sets the stage for a downward spiral. In chapter two, Israel encounters the Angel of the Lord, who rebukes them, saying, You made covenants you were not supposed to make, and now those people will be a snare to you. This ties back to the treaty made with the Gibeonites in Joshua, an agreement that, though made under deception, Israel still had to uphold. The people repeatedly turn away from God, beginning the infamous cycle of sin and deliverance. We also see the first use of a significant phrase: They did what was evil in the Lord’s sight. This refrain will be repeated throughout the book, marking Israel’s continual rebellion.
Chapter three introduces us to the first set of judges—Othniel, Ehud, and Shamgar. This initial group of judges are, in some ways, more noble than the ones who follow. Othniel, Caleb’s nephew, is named as having the Spirit of God, reminiscent of past figures empowered by the Spirit, such as Bezalel, who was filled with the Spirit to build the Tabernacle, and the seventy elders in Numbers 11, including Eldad and Medad. This marks a continuation of God raising up Spirit-filled leaders to guide His people.
Then we have Ehud, who assassinates King Eglon of Moab in one of the most unusual accounts in Scripture. Ehud is a left-handed warrior, a rare trait that plays a crucial role in his plan. He secures a private audience with Eglon, a notoriously obese king, under the pretense of delivering a secret message from God. When Eglon leans in to hear the message, Ehud unsheathes a hidden sword with his left hand and thrusts it into the king’s belly. The blade goes in so deep that the fat closes over it, and Ehud is able to escape through the latrine while Eglon’s servants assume he is relieving himself. Because of Ehud’s actions, Israel experiences eighty years of peace.
Finally, we have Shamgar, a judge who is briefly mentioned but notable for his incredible feat—defeating six hundred Philistines with an ox goad, a farming tool not typically used for battle. This act highlights how God can use even the most unconventional weapons and people to bring about His purposes.
In our second movement, we see a list of deeply flawed heroes, beginning with Deborah, who is one of the least flawed among them. However, as the book progresses, the judges seem to become progressively worse. Deborah and Barak lead Israel to victory over King Jabin of Hazor and his general Sisera. When Barak hesitates to go into battle without Deborah, she warns him that the victory will ultimately be given to a woman. And indeed, that is exactly what happens.
During the battle, Sisera sees that his forces are being routed, and he flees to the tent of a woman named Jael, who was related to Hobab, Moses' Midianite guide. Seeking refuge, he trusts Jael to keep him safe. She welcomes him, offers him milk to drink, and assures him that he can rest in her tent. However, while he sleeps, Jael takes a tent peg and violently drives it through his temple, killing him instantly. This unexpected turn of events highlights how God can use unlikely individuals to bring about His purposes. The prophecy given to Barak is fulfilled—Sisera falls not by the sword of a warrior but by the hand of a woman. This remarkable victory is celebrated in chapter five in The Song of Deborah, which praises God for delivering Israel in such an unusual and decisive manner.
Chapters six through eight introduce us to Gideon, one of the most well-known judges. Gideon is reluctant at first but ultimately proves to be faithful. His story begins with an act of defiance—tearing down an altar to Baal in his town. Because of this, he earns the name Jerubbaal, meaning Let Baal defend himself. However, despite this bold action, Gideon struggles with doubt and repeatedly seeks confirmation from God. This is where we get the well-known story of Gideon's fleece. Twice, he asks God to confirm His calling through a miraculous sign—first by making the fleece wet while the ground around it remains dry, and then by reversing the sign the next day.
Gideon’s army is chosen in an unusual way. He starts with 32,000 men, but God instructs him to reduce their numbers. The first cut removes those who are afraid, leaving 10,000. Then, God tells Gideon to bring them to a water source and observe how they drink. Those who cup water with their hands rather than kneeling down to drink directly are chosen, leaving only 300 men. This absurdly small force is then given an even more unconventional battle plan. They are instructed to surround the Midianite camp, each carrying a torch hidden inside a clay pot. At Gideon’s signal, they break the pots, revealing the torches, and blow their trumpets, creating the illusion of a vast army. The Midianites, thrown into confusion, turn on each other in panic, and Israel wins the battle without even drawing their swords.
However, Gideon’s story does not end well. After his victory, he makes an ephod from the spoils of war, which the people begin to worship, creating yet another spiritual downfall. His life is a picture of early faithfulness followed by compromise—highlighting the fact that even those chosen by God can lead people astray when they lose sight of Him.
In chapter nine, we meet Abimelech, Gideon’s son, who is not a judge in the traditional sense but rather a self-appointed leader. His ambition leads to destruction. He begins his rule by slaughtering seventy of his half-brothers to eliminate competition. Only one brother, Jotham, survives, and he delivers a prophetic parable from Mount Gerizim—the mountain associated with blessings—turning it into a place of cursing. The parable warns that Abimelech’s reign will bring destruction, and indeed, that is what happens.
Abimelech crushes opposition by brutally destroying the city of Shechem. To symbolize their total defeat, he salts the ground, a practice that signifies permanent desolation—reminiscent of the warning about Lot’s wife and the judgment of Sodom. Later, he attacks another city, Thebez, but as he tries to burn down its tower, a woman drops a millstone on his head. Knowing he is mortally wounded, he calls for his armor-bearer to finish him off so that he would not be remembered as having been killed by a woman. In the end, his death is ironic—just as he tried to establish his rule through violence and pride, he is brought down by his own arrogance.
After Abimelech’s story, we briefly see judges Tola and Jair, though not much detail is given about them.
Then, in chapters eleven and twelve, we meet Jephthah, another deeply flawed judge. Jephthah first attempts diplomacy, writing a letter to the Ammonite king recounting Israel’s history and their right to the land. However, war is inevitable, and before battle, he makes a tragic and foolish vow. He promises that if God grants him victory, he will offer as a sacrifice whatever first comes out of his house to greet him upon his return. To his horror, when he arrives home, it is his only daughter who comes out to meet him. The text states plainly that he fulfills his vow (Judges 11:39), leading many scholars to believe that she was indeed sacrificed.
This devastating story serves as a cautionary tale—being filled with the Spirit does not mean one is immune to making disastrous choices. Judges repeatedly reminds us that the Spirit of God is not an endorsement of every action a person takes. Jephthah was empowered by God to deliver Israel, yet he still acted according to his own understanding, leading to tragedy.
Another recurring issue in Judges is the tension with the tribe of Ephraim. When Jephthah defeats the Ammonites, the Ephraimites confront him, upset that they were not included in the battle. Unlike Gideon, who had previously diffused their anger with diplomacy, Jephthah responds aggressively, leading to a civil war in which forty-two thousand Ephraimites are killed. Once again, we see that when people act based on their own judgment rather than seeking God’s wisdom, the result is destruction.
Judges 13 through 16 highlight the famous story of Samson, a man of immense strength but deep personal flaws. His life is a paradox—set apart from birth as a deliverer for Israel, yet often driven by personal desires rather than divine purpose. Samson’s story begins with an angel of the Lord appearing to his mother, declaring that she would give birth to a son who would begin to rescue Israel from the Philistines. The angel instructs her that the boy is to be dedicated to God as a Nazirite from birth, meaning he must never cut his hair, drink wine, or touch anything unclean. Notably, his mother is also told to avoid alcohol, reinforcing the significance of the vow even before his birth.
As Samson grows, his physical strength becomes legendary, but so do his reckless choices. His first major act in Judges 14 involves marrying a Philistine woman—a direct violation of Israel’s separation from the surrounding nations. During the wedding feast, Samson presents a riddle to the Philistines, based on his own private experience of finding honey inside the carcass of a lion. The riddle is: "Out of the eater came something to eat; out of the strong came something sweet." When his bride is pressured by the Philistines, she nags Samson until he reveals the answer, which she promptly betrays. Furious at their deception, Samson responds with violence—killing thirty Philistine men and taking their belongings to pay the wager he had lost. Enraged, he leaves his wife behind, returning home to his parents.
Unbeknownst to Samson, his wife is given in marriage to another man. Later, when he returns to see her, her father refuses to let him in, explaining that she is now married to someone else. In a fit of vengeance, Samson catches three hundred foxes, ties their tails together in pairs with torches, and releases them into the Philistines' fields, burning their grain, vineyards, and olive groves. This act of destruction provokes retaliation, and in response, the Philistines kill Samson’s former wife and her family. Samson, in turn, strikes them down and flees to a cave in the region of Etam.
The Philistines then pressure the men of Judah, demanding that they hand Samson over. In fear, three thousand men of Judah approach Samson and bind him with ropes to deliver him to the Philistines. However, as soon as he is handed over, the Spirit of the Lord comes upon him. He snaps the ropes as if they were flax threads and grabs the jawbone of a freshly killed donkey, using it as a weapon to slay a thousand Philistines. This moment cements Samson’s reputation as an unstoppable force, but his story continues to be marked by impulsive decisions.
In another episode, Samson visits a Philistine city and evades capture by carrying away the massive city gates of Gaza—an incredible feat of strength meant to humiliate his enemies. But his downfall begins with his relationship with Delilah, a woman whom the Philistine rulers bribe with 1,100 pieces of silver to uncover the secret of his strength. Delilah persistently tries to coax the truth out of him, and after deceiving her multiple times, Samson finally reveals that his strength lies in his hair. While he sleeps, she has his seven braids cut off, and as his hair is shaved, his strength departs. The Philistines seize him, gouge out his eyes, and imprison him in Gaza, forcing him to grind grain like an ox.
Humiliated and enslaved, Samson becomes a spectacle for his captors. However, in prison, his hair begins to grow back—a subtle foreshadowing of his final act. The Philistines later bring him out for entertainment during a grand festival in their temple to Dagon, their god. While there, Samson prays to God for strength one last time: "Sovereign Lord, remember me again. O God, please strengthen me just one more time. With one blow, let me pay back the Philistines for the loss of my eyes."
Positioning himself between the two central pillars of the temple, Samson pushes against them with all his might, crying out, "Let me die with the Philistines!" The temple collapses, killing thousands, including all the Philistine rulers. In his death, Samson destroys more enemies than he did throughout his lifetime, fulfilling his role as a deliverer of Israel. However, his story is one of wasted potential—a man called by God, yet led astray by his own desires. His life serves as both a warning and a testament to God’s ability to use even the most flawed individuals for His purposes.
In our next section, Israel spirals further into chaos and corruption in Judges 17 through 18. The tale of Micah’s idols and the migration of the tribe of Dan highlight the moral and spiritual decay that overtakes the nation. The story begins with a man named Micah stealing from his mother—1,100 pieces of silver, an amount that echoes Delilah’s betrayal of Samson in the previous chapter. When Micah confesses, his mother dedicates the silver to the Lord but paradoxically uses it to create a carved idol. Micah then sets up a shrine, makes a sacred ephod, and appoints one of his sons as his personal priest, showing just how far Israel has strayed from true worship. Again, we see the recurring refrain: “In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.”
Micah later convinces a wandering Levite to serve as his priest, seeing this as a way to legitimize his private idolatrous worship. Meanwhile, the tribe of Dan, still unsettled in their allotted territory, seeks a new homeland. They send out five scouts to explore potential regions for conquest. These men arrive at Micah’s house and recognize the Levite’s accent, realizing he is not from their region. Seeking divine guidance, they ask him to pray for them, and the Levite assures them that their journey will be successful.
Encouraged by this, the Danites continue to the town of Laish, finding it to be prosperous, peaceful, and unprotected. Deciding it is the perfect target, 600 armed Danites set out to conquer it. On their way, they stop at Micah’s house and, rather than merely seeking his blessing, they take his idols and ephod, essentially looting his private shrine. They also persuade the Levite to leave Micah’s service and join them, promising him a more prestigious role as a priest to an entire tribe rather than just one household. The Danites then proceed to Laish, slaughter its inhabitants, burn the city, and rebuild it under the name Dan.
A particularly significant detail appears in Judges 18:30, where the Danites appoint Jonathan, the son of Gershom, the son of Moses, as their priest. This is a deeply ironic and shameful moment—Moses, the great leader who delivered God’s law, has a direct descendant leading idolatrous worship for a rebellious tribe. So embarrassing was this association that later Jewish scribes, in certain Masoretic manuscripts, altered the text to obscure Moses’ name, replacing it with “Manasseh.” However, the Greek Septuagint preserves the original reading, reinforcing its superiority in preserving the unaltered history of Israel. This textual change was likely an attempt to shield Moses’ legacy from disgrace, but in doing so, it only further illustrates the Masoretic Text tendency to redact difficult portions of scripture.
The story of Micah’s idols and the Danite migration reveals the deep spiritual decline of Israel. Instead of worshiping according to God’s commands, they invent their own religious practices, blending elements of true worship with idolatry. The nation drifts further from its covenant relationship with God, setting the stage for the even darker events that follow in the final chapters of Judges.
The final section of Judges presents one of the darkest episodes in Israel’s history—the story of the Levite and the concubine. This account reveals just how deeply the nation had fallen into moral decay. The concubine had left the Levite and returned to her father’s house, and after some time, the Levite travels to reclaim her. They stay for several days at her father’s house, repeatedly delayed by the father-in-law’s insistence that they remain. Eventually, they leave and, on their journey, find themselves in a town of the tribe of Benjamin, the city of Gibeah.
What happens next is disturbingly reminiscent of the events in Sodom and Gomorrah. An old man in the town urges them not to stay in the open square, knowing the wickedness of the place. They take lodging with him, but that night, the men of the city come to the house and demand that the Levite be handed over to them to be abused. In a horrific turn of events, the Levite pushes his concubine outside instead, where she is brutally assaulted throughout the night. By morning, she lies collapsed at the doorstep, barely alive. The Levite finds her there and coldly tells her to get up so they can leave, but she does not respond—she is already dead.
What follows is one of the most gruesome moments in all of Scripture. The Levite places her body on his donkey, returns home, and then, in a shocking act, takes a knife and dismembers her body into twelve pieces, sending them to the twelve tribes of Israel as a call to arms. The people are horrified, saying, “Such a horrible crime has not been committed since Israel left Egypt.” The atrocity ignites national outrage, leading the other tribes to wage war against Benjamin.
A brutal civil war ensues. The Israelite tribes initially suffer losses, but they eventually decimate the tribe of Benjamin, leaving only 600 men alive. This nearly wipes out an entire tribe from existence. In a bizarre and disturbing effort to preserve the tribe, the Israelites seek out a way to provide wives for these remaining Benjamites without breaking their earlier oath not to give their own daughters to them in marriage. Their solution is ruthless. They slaughter the people of Jabesh-Gilead for failing to join them in battle and take 400 virgins for the Benjamites, but that number still falls short. To make up for the remaining shortage, they devise a scheme—during the annual festival of the Lord at Shiloh, they allow the Benjamites to hide in the vineyards and capture young women as they come out to dance. In this way, they secure wives for the tribe through what amounts to an act of sanctioned abduction.
This brutal, chaotic conclusion to Judges serves as a grim testament to what happens when a nation rejects God’s leadership. The book ends with the repeated refrain: “In those days, Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” This statement is not just a commentary on the state of Israel at the time—it is an indictment of the human condition when left without divine authority.
The story of Judges makes one thing abundantly clear: when people abandon God’s law and follow their own desires, moral and societal collapse is inevitable. The lawlessness and violence that define the period demonstrate the desperate need for a righteous king who would lead with justice and restore order. This sets the stage for the rise of the monarchy in Israel, but more importantly, it foreshadows the ultimate King—Jesus Christ, the only one who can truly lead humanity out of sin and into righteousness.
The book of Judges serves as a bridge between Joshua and Ruth, emphasizing the desperate need for a righteous king. Judges 21:25 states, “In those days, Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.” This refrain echoes throughout the book, highlighting the moral and spiritual decline that resulted from Israel’s rejection of God’s leadership. Without a king, chaos reigned, and Israel fell into repeated cycles of sin, oppression, repentance, and temporary deliverance through flawed judges.
But the story does not end there. As we turn to the book of Ruth, we find a glimpse of hope emerging from this dark period. At the end of Ruth, the genealogy is recorded in Ruth 4:13-17: “So Boaz took Ruth into his home, and she became his wife. When he slept with her, the Lord enabled her to become pregnant, and she gave birth to a son. Then the women of the town said to Naomi, ‘Praise the Lord, who has now provided a redeemer for your family! May this child be famous in Israel. May he restore your youth and care for you in your old age, for he is the son of your daughter-in-law who loves you and has been better to you than seven sons!’ Naomi took the baby and cuddled him to her breast, and she cared for him as if he were her own. The neighbor women said, ‘Now at last Naomi has a son again!’ And they named him Obed. He became the father of Jesse and the grandfather of King David.”
From the depravity of Judges emerges the story of Ruth, which introduces David’s lineage. And from David’s lineage comes the ultimate fulfillment of God’s plan—Jesus Christ. Matthew 1:1 begins, “This is the record of the ancestors of Jesus the Messiah, a descendant of David and of Abraham.” Luke 1:32-33 further proclaims, “He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his Kingdom will never end!”
The transition from Judges to Ruth is not just historical—it is theological. Joshua, a prefigure of Christ, led Israel into the Promised Land but could not establish their lasting peace. The judges provided temporary relief but could not bring permanent righteousness. Ruth’s story, however, ushers in the line of David, pointing forward to the one true King who would establish an everlasting kingdom. Judges exposes human failure, revealing what happens when people reject divine leadership, while Ruth sets the stage for redemption.
Where human judges failed, Jesus brings true justice. Where Israel wandered in disobedience, Jesus leads with perfect guidance. Where chaos ruled, Jesus reigns with righteousness. The book of Judges leaves us longing for a true King, and that longing is fulfilled in Christ. He is not just a better judge—He is the eternal King who rules with justice and grace, securing salvation for all who follow Him.
In Orthodox tradition, the Feast of the Annunciation is one of the earliest Christian feasts, commemorating the Archangel Gabriel's announcement to the Virgin Mary that she would conceive and bear Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This feast is celebrated on March 25th. Historical records indicate that the Feast of the Annunciation was already being celebrated in the fourth century. The Council of Toledo in 656 mentions the feast, and the Council in Trullo in 692 notes its observance during Great Lent.
Orthodox tradition interprets Gideon's fleece test as a prefiguration of the Virgin Birth. In Judges 6:36-40, Gideon seeks confirmation from God through a fleece: first, he asks for the fleece to be wet with dew while the ground remains dry; then, for the fleece to stay dry while the ground is covered with dew. This dual sign is seen as symbolic within Orthodox theology. The first sign, where the fleece is saturated while the ground is dry, represents the Virgin Mary receiving the divine overshadowing of the Holy Spirit, conceiving Christ while remaining pure. The second sign, with the ground wet and the fleece dry, symbolizes the outpouring of God's grace upon the world through the Incarnation, with Mary as the untouched medium. This typology is celebrated during the Feast of the Annunciation, highlighting the fulfillment of Old Testament signs in the person of Jesus Christ.
This interpretation underscores the continuity between Old Testament events and their ultimate realization in the New Testament, emphasizing the depth of God's salvific plan as recognized in Orthodox theology.
The Book of Judges offers a powerful contrast between human frailty and divine strength, ultimately pointing us toward Jesus as the true and perfect Deliverer. Samson’s life is one of paradox—great strength marred by personal weakness, yet culminating in a moment of surrender that brings victory. When he prays, "Let me die with the Philistines," and the temple collapses, his greatest act of deliverance comes not through his physical might, but through sacrifice. In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul echoes this idea, writing, "Each time he said, ‘My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.’ So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses so that the power of Christ can work through me." Samson’s death foreshadows Jesus, whose apparent weakness on the cross triumphed over sin and death. His final act is a reminder that true strength is not found in human power but in surrender to God’s will. Samson's life, though flawed, ultimately reflects the power of grace, where victory is won not by force, but by complete reliance on God.
In Deborah and Barak, we see another example of victory through faith. Judges 4:14 records Deborah’s command to Barak: "Get ready! This is the day the Lord will give you victory over Sisera, for the Lord is marching ahead of you." This mirrors the theme in Hebrews 11:32-34, which recounts the faith of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, and others, stating, "By their faith these people overthrew kingdoms, ruled with justice, and received what God had promised them… Their weakness was turned to strength. They became strong in battle and put whole armies to flight." Yet, as Hebrews continues, it becomes clear that none of these individuals fully achieved the promised rest. They were part of a greater story, one that finds its fulfillment in Christ, who secures the final victory over sin and death. Their faith and obedience to God’s guidance serve as a model, but their victories were incomplete, pointing to the ultimate deliverance that only Jesus provides.
The Angel of the Lord appears throughout Judges as a reminder that God is present even in times of rebellion. In Judges 6:12, the Angel of the Lord greets Gideon with the words, "Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!" This is significant because Gideon, at the time, is hiding in fear, uncertain of his calling. The phrase "The Lord is with you" is a reassurance found throughout Scripture, culminating in Jesus' incarnation, where John 1:14 declares, "So the Word became human and made his home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness, and we have seen his glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son." The Angel of the Lord appearing to Gideon is widely understood as a Christophany—a pre-incarnate appearance of Christ. Just as the Angel of the Lord reassures Gideon of God’s presence, Jesus Himself promises to be with His people always, guiding them through times of disobedience and struggle.
These stories within Judges illustrate the larger truth that human strength, left to its own devices, is insufficient. The judges were chosen by God, but they were flawed, and their victories were temporary. Samson's final act, Barak’s reliance on Deborah, and Gideon’s encounter with the Angel of the Lord all highlight the need for a greater Deliverer. Where human judges fail, Jesus reigns. He is the true and final Judge, the one who delivers perfectly and eternally. The Book of Judges, with all its accounts of human failure and divine intervention, serves as a bridge to the coming King, who alone can bring lasting peace and salvation.
Judges is a story of rebellion, chaos, and flawed leadership, but it’s also a testament to God’s faithfulness. Every judge in the book serves as a reminder of Israel’s desperate need for a perfect deliverer, a need ultimately fulfilled in Jesus. Unlike the temporary and imperfect salvation provided by these leaders, Christ offers eternal victory over sin and death. A key theme repeated throughout Judges is the phrase, "Everyone did what was right in their own eyes." This statement appears multiple times:
Judges 17:6 – "In those days, Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes."Judges 18:1 – "Now in those days, Israel had no king."Judges 19:1 – "Now in those days, Israel had no king. There was a man from the tribe of Levi who was living in a remote area of the hill country of Ephraim."Judges 21:25 – "In those days, Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes."
These passages highlight the anarchy, moral corruption, and spiritual decline that occurred when Israel rejected God's leadership and followed their own wisdom instead. The tragic consequences of this mindset are woven throughout the book, and the same dangers apply to us today.
Judges gives us a raw look at what happens when people abandon God's wisdom and rely on their own opinions. Over and over again, we see the phrase "Everyone did what was right in their own eyes," yet what seems right to us apart from God often leads to disaster. The judges themselves illustrate this struggle—sometimes obeying God and finding success, but at other times acting on their own judgment and causing harm.
In Gideon’s story, we see fear and idolatry. Gideon starts his journey listening to God, humbly following His instructions, but later, he builds an ephod that leads Israel into idolatry. His fear-driven faith turns into compromise. How often do we start strong in faith but allow distractions, doubts, or compromises to lead us astray? Perhaps there was a time when we were on fire for God, fully trusting in His plan, yet over time, we returned to the very habits or doubts that once plagued us. Gideon reminds us that faith requires perseverance and consistency, not just an initial burst of obedience.
Jephthah’s story warns against reckless vows. He swore to sacrifice the first thing that came out of his house if God granted him victory, tragically leading to the death of his own daughter. His mistake was assuming he could bargain with God rather than seeking His wisdom beforehand. Do we make rash commitments based on what seems right to us, rather than patiently waiting on God's answer? How often do we jump to conclusions, make impulsive promises, or act without truly consulting God? Jephthah’s tragedy reminds us that wisdom requires patience, and true faith seeks understanding rather than impulsive decisions.
Samson embodies the dangers of impulsiveness. He lived for his own desires, chasing after Philistine women despite knowing it was against God's commands. He did what was right in his own eyes and, ironically, lost his physical sight as a consequence. His story serves as a powerful warning—do we allow our own desires to control us rather than submitting to God's will? Are we driven by emotions, lust, or personal ambition rather than by faith? Samson had immense potential, but his self-indulgence led to his downfall. Likewise, unchecked desires can lead us away from God’s calling if we are not careful.
However, Judges also provides moments of hope, where individuals listened to God's Word and obeyed. Deborah and Barak illustrate the power of obedience. Deborah, acting as God's prophetess, instructed Barak to lead Israel’s army into battle. Though hesitant at first, Barak listened, and God granted victory. Are we willing to act in faith when God calls us to? Do we recognize that He often speaks through unexpected sources? In this case, Barak followed the wisdom of a woman—a culturally uncommon practice in his time. This challenges us to examine our own biases. Are we willing to listen when God speaks, even if it comes from an unexpected person? If Balaam could hear God's message through a donkey, then surely God can use anyone to bring wisdom into our lives. The question is—are we willing to listen?
Judges reveals that when people reject God's leadership, chaos reigns. The repeated refrain "In those days, Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes" highlights the danger of subjective morality and self-rule. It’s a warning that applies just as much today as it did then. Are we living according to our own wisdom, or are we seeking God's direction? Do we justify actions because they feel right rather than aligning them with Scripture? Are we guilty of picking and choosing which of God's instructions to follow, treating His commands like optional guidelines rather than divine truth?
The chaos in Judges is a reflection of what happens when we push God out of our lives. Yet even in the midst of rebellion, God remains faithful, raising up deliverers, however flawed they may be. Ultimately, the book of Judges points to our need for Jesus—the perfect Deliverer who doesn’t just provide temporary rescue but eternal salvation. It challenges us to trust in Him rather than our own understanding. When we do, we find true peace, purpose, and victory, not by doing what seems right in our own eyes, but by walking in obedience to the One who truly knows what is best.
The Book of Judges gives us many examples of both faithfulness and failure. One of the clearest contrasts is between those who trusted in God and were used by Him, and those who relied on their own wisdom, leading to disaster. Each judge gives us a lesson, revealing a pattern that still applies to us today.
We see a good example of deliverance in Othniel. As the first judge, he was empowered by God's Spirit and brought rescue to Israel. His leadership shows that true victory comes not through human effort, but through reliance on God's power. Are we depending on the Holy Spirit’s strength, or are we trying to handle everything in our own strength? Again, this ties back to what Paul wrote: "My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness." Are we willing to let God work through us by submitting to Him, or are we seeking to control everything ourselves and receive the glory?
Ehud provides an example of boldness. He followed God’s guidance, using his left-handed ability—what many considered a weakness—to bring deliverance to Israel by defeating King Eglon. This detail about his left-handedness is significant because, in ancient times, being left-handed was often viewed as a disadvantage. Even today, left-handed people face challenges, as my father did when his parents tried to retrain him to use his right hand. As a musician, I know firsthand that most guitars are designed for right-handed players, making it harder for left-handed people to find instruments that suit them. Yet, what is often perceived as a weakness is precisely what God used for victory. Do we have areas in our lives that we see as weaknesses? Are we willing to trust that God can use them for His purposes? Sometimes the very things we struggle with are the tools God will use to accomplish His plan.
The central question in Judges—and in our own lives—is whether we base our morality on what feels right or on God's Word. The culture constantly tells us to follow our hearts, but Scripture warns against this thinking. "There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death." (Proverbs 14:12). The prophet Jeremiah also reminds us, "The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?" (Jeremiah 17:9). Despite the world encouraging self-guidance, the Bible warns that apart from God’s wisdom, our decisions often lead to destruction. This isn’t a new problem. As Ecclesiastes tells us, "There is nothing new under the sun." Paul, writing to the Romans, describes a society from thousands of years ago that sounds exactly like our own. Humanity has always been prone to redefining truth, yet God’s wisdom does not change.
On a personal level, are we making decisions based on what feels right in the moment, or are we waiting on the Lord? Are we acting out of impatience, fear, or impulse? Many of the judges made disastrous mistakes because they did not fully trust God. Jephthah made a rash vow, assuming he could bargain with God, and it led to the tragic loss of his daughter. Samson followed his own desires rather than God's plan, and it cost him his strength, his freedom, and eventually his life. Do we rush into major decisions—about jobs, relationships, or commitments—before seeking the Lord’s direction? How often do we convince ourselves that because something seems right in our own eyes, it must be right? True wisdom comes from waiting on the Lord, seeking His guidance, and being patient for His timing.
Obedience, even when it doesn’t make sense by worldly standards, brings victory. Deborah and Barak learned this firsthand. Barak was hesitant, but when he followed Deborah’s prophetic direction, God gave them success. We may not always understand why God is calling us to certain actions, but faith is demonstrated through obedience. Philippians 2 reminds us that Christ Himself is our ultimate example of obedience: "Though he was God, he did not think of equality with God as something to cling to. Instead, he gave up his divine privileges; he took the humble position of a slave and was born as a human being. When he appeared in human form, he humbled himself in obedience to God and died a criminal’s death on a cross."
Faith without obedience is not true faith. We can claim to believe in God, but if we constantly do what seems right in our own eyes rather than submitting to His will, we are no different from the people of Judges. It is easy to condemn Israel for their repeated failures, yet are we guilty of the same thing? Do we listen to God only when it aligns with what we already want, or are we willing to obey Him even when it requires sacrifice?
Despite the failures in Judges, God remained faithful. Though Israel repeatedly turned from Him, He continually raised up deliverers to rescue them. However, every one of these deliverers was flawed. They could only provide temporary relief, pointing to the need for a greater Deliverer—Jesus Christ. Where the judges failed, Jesus succeeded. Unlike them, He did not do what was right in His own eyes, but instead followed the will of the Father, even to the point of death. He is the true Judge, the ultimate Deliverer, the One who does not bring momentary rescue but eternal salvation.
Hebrews 12:1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. 3 Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.
We must ask ourselves: Are we living according to what seems right in our own eyes, or are we submitting to God's Word? If we trust and obey Him, He will lead us out of the chaos of self-reliance and into the peace of His perfect will.
©️ Copyright 2025 Gene Simco Most Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. Scriptures in brackets reflect the original Biblical languages.